Skin Aqua Super Moisture Gel SPF50+ PA++++

For 9 months out of the year, I’m perfectly content repurchasing my favorite everyday-use sunscreens (Biore Watery Gel and Canmake Mermaid Skin Gel UV), but in preparation for summer, I’ve been on the hunt for something a little more sweat-proof. Most recently, I picked up the 50 Megumi Morning UV Protection Cream, which I didn’t like at all (and isn’t even sweat resistant anyways), and the Skin Aqua Super Moisture Gel, which I do like very much and will be talking about today!

AT A GLANCE

SPF and PA Rating?
SPF50+ PA++++, which is the highest UVB and UVA rating achieveable in Japan.

Where does it fit in your routine?
I apply sunscreen as the last step of my AM skincare routine and before applying any makeup.

Size and Price
140ml of product. I purchased this from Master of Life for ¥842 ($7.65 USD). It is also available on Amazon for $23.56 and Ebay for $14.82.

Packaging
This comes in a plastic pump bottle.

Fragrance
There is no added fragrance, although I can definitely smell alcohol while applying.

Color and texture
This is a gel-type sunscreen, meaning it has the texture of a semi-creamy but very fluid gel. Compared to the Biore Aqua Rich Watery Gel and Nivea Sun Protect Watery Gel, I would say this sunscreen is a tiny bit thicker but still thinner than an essence-type sunscreen would be.

What’s in it?

OCTINOXATE
This is the most common UVB filter. When exposed to light, it can become unstable, but in the case of this sunscreen it is formulated with Uvinul A Plus, Tinosorb S, and Uvinul T150 which help improve photostability.

UVINUL A PLUS
This is one of the few filters that covers the entire UVA I spectrum (the others being Tinosorb M, Avobenzone, and Zinc Oxide). It is photo-stable and has synergistic effects when formulated with Uvinul T 150 and Tinosorb S.

TINOSORB S
This is an oil soluble, photo-stable filter that can provide high SPF and PA coverage in low concentrations. It can also boost the stability and performance of other filters, such as Uvinul A Plus and Uvintul T 150.

UVINUL T150
This is the most effective UVB filter on the market and can achieve high levels of SPF protection even in small quantities. It is extremely stable and completely insoluble in water, making it a good filter to use in water-resistant formulas.

SODIUM HYALURONATE, SODIUM ACETYLATED HYALURONATE, HYDROLYZED COLLAGEN
In addition to the sunscreen filters mentioned above, there are also a handful of ingredients included to make this sunscreen more hydrating.

Performance

THE GOOD
Like other Japanese gel-type sunscreens, this sunscreen simply glides across the skin as you apply it. It’s easy and lovely to use! There is no hint of white cast at all, and although it does leave the skin a little shiny immediately after application, the shininess fades as the sunscreen fully dries.

Sunscreen in various stages of application, in artificial light.

This sunscreen is also cheaper by the ml than my usual sunscreen favorites, so in addition to applying on my face I’ve also been using it on my arms. I also have not had any issues with pilling (so far), which I occasionally do with Canmake and the Biores.

This was taken immediately after the picture in the bottom right hand corner in the image above, except in natural light instead of artificial. Without the glare from the artificial light, notice that the finish is a lot less shiny.

THE BAD
The sebum-resistance comes at a minor trade-off, which is that it’s a heavier gel. Despite containing a hefty amount of alcohol, this sunscreen takes longer to dry than the Biores or Nivea Gel. I also notice that if I take my time applying it, it will seemingly thicken and become more difficult to spread, so I try to get this on my skin evenly as quickly as possible. It also leaves my skin a little sticky/tacky until it is fully dry.

Truthfully, these are minor inconveniences, and of all the sebum or water resistant sunscreen I’ve tried this is probably the most cosmetically elegant and easy to use. I’ve already placed an order for 5 more bottles to get me through summer!

The Takeaway

This is a really excellent sunscreen that is cosmetically elegant, offers full UVB and UVA protection, and is sebum proof. Unless I find something better, this will be my go-to sunscreen this summer!

Disclaimer: This product was purchased by me. This post contains an affiliate links. Purchasing an item through an affiliate link does not add any cost to the customer but does help support this site’s upkeep.

Post navigation

17 thoughts on “Skin Aqua Super Moisture Gel SPF50+ PA++++”

I tried it also because of ratzillas ranking. But on me, the sunscreen dries down really shiny and tacky, way more than the biores. And I also feel like I am heating a little bit up under a noticeable layer, if that makes any sense to you 😀
Last but not least, it is under the suspicion to make me closed comedones, but as always YMMV!

Oh no- that sucks about the closed comedones! It is definitely tackier than Biore, although i haven’t had issues with shiniess. On me, the tackiness fades fast enough that I’m willing to deal with it, but the overall experience is less pleasant if you’re used to how quickly Biore sinks in!

Oh that’s crazy! This doesn’t dry my skin out – it’s got emollients in there that take a minute to sink in, but it also has alcohol, which could be drying. My skin strangely doesn’t have an issue with alcohol in sunscreens though.

I just bought two new Biore Gels and although I know I need something more sweat proof the sheer effort it takes to find a new one that has minimal white cast is overwhelming that I haven’t tried. Thanks for this review, because now I have one contender!

Unfortunately I think I had an allergic reaction towards this product. Small red bumps around my mouth. Not comedones or pimples. I suspect it’s the Triethanolamine, but one can never know for sure unless after a patch test by a dermatologist. Anyway, I’ll go back to my Nivea Sun Protect which I think is even better than Biore UV Watery Essence.

Hope your skin is recovering! I prefer the texture of the Nivea sun protect Aqua gel over the Biore watery essence as well. It also reapplies better – I find that if I try to reapply the Biore it has the tendency to pill

Search

Search for:

Get email updates

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Promotions and Discount Codes

TopCashBack- Get cash back on orders from Sephora (5%), Memebox (8%), Ulta, Ebay, and more. Basically free money if you do a lot of online shopping
Memebox- Get 20% off your first order
Peach and Lily- Get $10 off your first order of $50 or more
Glow Recipe- Get $5 Off Your First Order
Glossier- Get 20% Off Your First Order
Beautibi- Get $5 Off Your First Order
Beautius- Get 100 B-Points
Curology- Get one month of Curology for Free